New APTA Resource on Active Wound Care Management Available Online

New FAQs developed by APTA explain what active wound care management is and the physical therapist’s role in caring for wounds, describe the various types of debridement and other wound therapies, and outline the procedure codes used when reporting active wound care management. The document also provides examples of the elements that should be included in visits and encounters for active wound care management.

Comments

I recommend adding the unna boot code 29580 to the list of codes. In my area of practice we apply unna boots for a large number of stasis ulcers.

Posted by Betty Holder -> ANPbE
on 7/16/2011 9:16 AM

Glad to see APTA position statements for Physical Therapists performing woundcare. Definitive position on Physical Therapists role in woundcare from ATPA, our national organization, supports Physical Therapists who provide woundcare evaluation and treatments to their patients.
With several clinical groups able to bill on the same codes for wound care, it is important that Physical Therapists define how our specialty significantly contributes to the woundcare field.
As specialists with modalities, Physical Therapists contribute with knowledge and skill applying woundcare modalities, electrical stimulation, now the stimulating low intensity non-contact ultrasound.
As debridement specialists, Physical Therapist excell as debriding devitalized tissue. Physical Therapists continue that skill with skilled application of the newer contact ultrasound debriding modalities, Arobella Qoustic and Misonex.
Outpatient, hospital based woundcare facilities are shifting from Physical Therapists performing woundcare to nursing, with "physician supervision" for more lucrative billing from Medicare. This is a paradigm shift.
As a Physical Therapist, CWS, actively practicing wound care in my daily practice, glad to see support from APTA.
Betty Holder PT MS CWS

Posted by Betty Holder -> ANPbE
on 7/16/2011 10:12 AM

I am a Rehab Program Manager in a Sub-Acute Nursing/Rehab facility in Maryland. I am working to secure a larger role in the area of wound care. I am lookinf for information comparing cost of in-house Rehab oriented care vs. out-sourcing/out-patient care.

Posted by Les Sherwood,P.T.
on 1/25/2012 10:24 AM

I work at a tertiary inpatient hospital here in Richmond and I am the primary PT who does the wound care evaluation and treatment. I am actually very interested in attending any of the future seminars that will keep me up to date with the techniques and knowledge that would improve my professional skills. I am also open in the idea of becoming a Wound Specialist. What would be the requirements for it and how long will it take me to finish the course. I would greatly appreciate any information I could get.
Thank you very much for your time. My best regards to everybody!
Jules

Posted by Jules Clemente, PT
on 3/4/2013 1:32 PM

I am a PT in Indiana working in SNF and commenced a wound care program. We do make a big difference as I saw a great percentage drop in wound care statistics in our facility.

Posted by Lilian Mapeza -> AJR]AF
on 6/3/2014 8:28 AM

You may wanna check the American Board of Wound Management if you want to obtain a diplomate status as CWS (Certified Wound Specialist). I believe in the value of certification especially that wound care is not something that physical therapists are known for. In my practice, most of the time, patient ask what kind of training did I have to evaluate and treat wounds. Having the wound care designation attached to the name increases patients' confidence to the care they are receiving. I am glad that APTA has began to see this area of practice as a specialty.
-Saturn B. Dagwase, PT, CWS, FACCWS, CLT